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Views from the Choir Loft

The International Institute for Culture

Fr. David Friel · January 12, 2014

NE FEATURE OF A VERY UNIQUE Philadelphia neighborhood called “Overbrook” is the International Institute for Culture (IIC). The Institute began in 1989 in response to Pope John Paul II’s call for cultural re-evangelization, and since that time has organized lecture series, language programs, cultural celebrations, international conferences, educational seminars, and art exhibitions. It has also hosted many musical performances.

Everything the IIC offers attempts to showcase the cultural heritage of Holy Mother Church. Their self-stated goal is to “look at the way in which the Faith has shaped cultures in the past and the culture in which we live today, the manner in which it preserved and elevated whatever was good and noble in any culture that it encountered and repudiated whatever debased the human spirit.” It is an organization with high aspirations.

One of the ongoing seminars they offer is called ”For the Love of Music.” These seminars follow an interesting procedure. First, they listen to a live performance of a piece of classical music. Then, the musicians reflect on what they see & hear in the composition and participants are invited to ask questions & share thoughts. Finally, the whole group listens to the same piece performed again. Described as a “master class for listeners,” this series is a great way for lovers of music to grow in their appreciation for the nuances of various composers and styles.

As one example, the Institute is hosting a session this afternoon at their Ivy Hall headquarters. Featuring pianist Rollin Wilber, attendees will hear selections by C.P.E. Bach, Scarlatti, Beethoven, Grieg, Schumann, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and Villa-Lobos. More information can be found here.

May the efforts of the IIC and other groups like it help to foster a new “civilization of love”!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Beauty Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Hymn by Cardinal Newman
    During the season of Septuagesima, we will be using this hymn by Cardinal Newman, which employs both Latin and English. (Readers probably know that Cardinal Newman was one of the world's experts when it comes to Lingua Latina.) The final verse contains a beautiful soprano descant. Father Louis Bouyer—famous theologian, close friend of Pope Paul VI, and architect of post-conciliar reforms—wrote thus vis-à-vis the elimination of Septuagesima: “I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed (with no good reason) Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Like all other liturgical functions, like offices and ranks in the Church, indeed like everything else in the world, the religious service that we call the Mass existed long before it had a special technical name.”

— ‘Rev. Adrian Fortescue (THE MASS, page 397)’

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